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Friday, February 7, 2014

Beth Spoehr Steps Into Justin's World

If you've visited the Justin's World Facebook page, you've probably seen the picture that has been the cover photo on the page since March of last year. If you don't recognize the young lady in the photo, it is none other than today's featured player, Ms. Elizabeth Spoehr.Though the photo is one of the best I saw through all of last season, Beth's career covered far more than a single picture. A four-year member of the UMaine Black Bears, I always enjoyed watching Beth pitch; her win-loss record really didn't tell the whole story. She was -- and still is -- a remarkable pitcher.After college, Beth headed overseas to play ball in Sweden, where she took on a Ty Cobb-esque role, pitching, helping coach and teach some of the other players, and even hitting some.It seemed like Beth and I talked about a little bit of everything (a good thing), and this is one of my favorite interviews of the year. Just a sampling of what Beth and I talked about:- The difference between a hope-to-win & expect-to-win mentality- How having the chance to swing the bat helped her as a pitcher- How playing international ball helped her grow personally- Her plans for the future, as a player and coach- Why she would want Jennie Finch to play her in a movieAfter you've enjoyed this interview, remember to check out Beth's blog about all things Sweden here, and on Twitter @_BethSpoehr32

Justin’s World: How
did you get your start playing softball?

Beth Spoehr: My
dad was big into slow pitch softball so he introduced it to my older sister and
me when we were little.

BS: My older sister’s influence was she is 18
months older than me and she wanted to be the pitcher first. My dad would take
her to Sunday morning pitching at the high school near our house and I would
just tag a long. Soon I started pitching with her and the rest is history.

JW: How did you choose UMaine?

BS: My high school pitching coach Denis
Utecht’s daughter, Linnea Utecht, became the pitching coach at UMaine my junior
year of high school. She recruited me and at first I had no interest, I thought
who goes to school in Maine. I decided to go on the recruiting visit they
offered me and fell in love with the school. I am very happy with my choice
especially because my pitching coach, Denis Utecht, passed away unexpectedly
spring of my senior year and I know he really wanted to see me go there.

JW: I saw an article where you mentioned a
hope-to-win mentality versus an expect-to-win approach. What do you see as the
biggest differences between the two, and how do you think a player or team has
an advantage by adopting one mindset over the other?

BS:The biggest difference between the two is
a certain confidence you NEED to have that you just expect to win. I’ve played
on teams that expect to win as well as ones that hope to win and there is a
huge difference. It takes each person on the team truly believing in
themselves. There is no room for hoping J.

JW: You’ve obviously been a pitcher throughout
your college career, but I understand you got to swing the bat some while
overseas. Do you prefer being primarily a pitcher, or is being a dual threat
more your style?

BS:That’s a tough question. I love just
pitching and no hitting because that is what I grew up doing. It is what I am
comfortable with and use to. With that being said, I did really enjoy getting
the opportunity to help my team out at the plate. It was thrilling getting that
shot to make a big difference offensively but it was also difficult for me to
truly focus on both. I found it challenging to commit myself 100 percent
mentally at the plate while pitching still held so much of my focus.

JW: How does playing offensively help you
better understand the game from a pitching standpoint, and vice versa?

BS: Playing offensively definitely gave me
much more respect for hitters. Throughout my career I would get easily frustrated
at hitters who froze in big situations or when my team didn’t produce at the
plate. I think that stemmed from me not being a major offensive player growing
up. I saw how much pressure it was this summer and it isn’t as easy as it
looks, especially when you are in the meat of the line up and your team is
depending on you. I am very glad I got the opportunity to be one of my team’s
big offensive producers this past summer. It made me respect another part of
the game even more.

JW: What would you say is the proudest moment
of your career?

BS:That is tough I would say the proudest
moment of my career would either be senior day at UMaine, just knowing I made
it, I accomplished my goal of pitching 4 years of D1 softball. But now looking
back on it I think the proudest moment of my career was having my parents come
watch a game in Sweden. Having them there with me and realizing what an amazing
journey it has been just because I really like pitching a softball. That is
what I dreamt of growing up, that is when I really reached all my goals. It was
a pretty cool feeling.

JW: You’ve received quite a few of them, but
if you had to choose just one, what would you say is your favorite award or
accolade that you’ve received?

BS:It is not really an award but I LOVED
receiving my Varsity Letter “M” at the senior banquet at UMaine. Instead of a
letterman’s jacket they gave each senior athlete a plaque with the Varsity
Letter “M” on it. That’s when I knew I had truly accomplished something special
and I would be part of the Black Bear family forever.

JW: How did the opportunity arise for you to
play in Sweden?

BS: I received an email from the old UMBC
assistant coach. He had gone over to Sweden to coach for a summer and now
recruits for them. He saw me play at UMBC my sophomore year and sent me an
email right before Thanksgiving my senior year. I will never ever forget
getting that email. Talk about making someone’s day!!

JW: Prior to that offer, had you entertained
the possibility or considered playing ball past college?

BS:Absolutely. I wasn’t sure if I was good
enough when I was in college but I knew that all I wanted was an opportunity
overseas. I love to travel and that’s all I thought about towards the end of my
career. Then out of the blue I got that email, it was like an answer to a
prayer.

JW: What did international playing experience
teach you, and how did playing and traveling overseas help you learn & grow
as a person?

BS:I can’t even begin to say how much it
helped me grow as a person. Playing internationally is an experience I will
never forget and I would highly recommend to anyone. I feel I was extremely
lucky to have such a great host family and support system in Sweden. It helped
me realize how big this world is but yet at the same time, helped me see that
people all the around this world are so much more alike then we are different.
I grew so much and it helped me establish a whole new set of goals and gave me
direction for my life after my softball career.

JW: At the present, what are your thoughts
regarding continuing your playing career overseas next year and beyond?

BS: I am really entertaining the thought of
playing overseas again this summer. I have considered going back to Sweden
again, as I said it was such a great experience! The place I would most like to
travel to is Australia. I know softball is decently popular there and so I am
currently looking for some way I might be able to get on a team over there for
the summer. Let me know if you have any leads I can grab onto J
I don’t feel like I am ready to give up my pitching career yet.

JW: Are you considering possibly finding a
coaching job at some level once your playing career is done? Or perhaps some
other position within the game?

BS:Yes! As I mentioned before I established
new goals for myself now. I teach pitching lessons at home full time at the
moment and love it. Pitching is my passion in life there is no doubt about
that. I would love an opportunity to be a pitching coach at the D1 level and
take it from there. I know that no matter what softball pitching will always be
in my life. Whether it is coaching 9 year olds or in the Big Ten, it will
always be a major part of who I am.

JW: If a genie granted you three wishes, what
would you ask for?

BS:

1.For everyone to treat each other as they would want to be
treated.

2.The NPF (national pro fastpitch) to become as big as major
league baseball.

3.Be able to visit every country in the world.

JW: Say a movie was going to be made about
your life. Who would you cast to play the role of Beth, and what would you call
the film?

BS: If I could cast anyone to play the role
of Beth I’d obviously cast Jennie Finch hahaha! She is everything I inspire to
be and would make me look good on the mound J. I would need some professional help in
naming the movie. I have no idea!!! None of the names I can think of fit just
right.

JW: If you could have dinner & sit down
and talk with any three people from history, who would they be and why?

BS:

1. Mother Teresa- She is the most caring and selfless woman. She
would inspire me in every way to become a better person. Her faith in and
ability to always do what is right is absolutely incredible.

2. Jennie Finch- She has completely changed the game of softball.
When I was little there wasn’t really a major face of the sport, it still
lacked identity. She has given the sport a great identity and raised the sports
popularity everywhere in the USA and beyond. I teach lots of little girls and
every single one of them know who Jennie Finch is. She is an inspiration and
role model to softball players everywhere. I only dream of getting to do the
things she has done/continues to do.

3. Martin Luther King Jr.- His story is incredible. He stands out
to me when I think of the word BRAVE. You need to be brave in order to make a
difference. I would love to talk to him about how he channeled that and dealt
with all the issues he faced on a daily basis. What an incredible man.